University of South Dakota Athletics

Gregg Erickson, a native of Vermillion, SD, is generally regarded as one of the outstanding fullbacks in South Dakota football history. Erickson (1979-73), who later signed a free agent with the NFL's Chicago Bears, played on two NCC championship football teams in 1972 and 1973 for head coach Joe Salem. Playing fullback, Erickson finished his career as USD's third all-time leading rusher with 2,072 yards. His best season was as a junior (1972) when he earned all-North Central Conference honors. During that season he rushed for 931 yards. On five different occasions, he topped 100 yards rushing in a game with outings of 177, 127, 120, 117, and 116 yards. As a sophomore in 1971, Erickson notched the second-best rushing day in USD history, rushing for 212 yards against Morningside.